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On Saturday 31st January and Sunday 1st February, 2009, visitors are invited to flock to Sparsholt College, near Winchester, to see the ewes at lambing time. This is the fifth year that Sparsholt College, a specialist in land-based training, will open its gates for the occasion. Last year the event proved hugely popular and attracted over 3,000 family visitors despite the bitterly cold weather.

The College’s commercial sheep flock of 300 ewes will be on view as an educational opportunity for families and other visitors to witness the normal shepherding activities as they take place over the weekend. "The flock is due to begin producing lambs the week before, so lambing should be in full swing by the end of January," says shepherd John Garrett. "We would hope that anyone staying for an hour or two should see lambs being born but, nature being what it is, nothing is ever guaranteed. So, we’ll also have big screen video footage showing earlier lambings, in case anyone’s unlucky enough not to see a birth. Most frequently, we’d expect single or twin lambs but triplets are always a possibility. We try to finish up with two lambs per ewe and the third lamb of triplets may sometimes be fostered onto a ewe that may have lost a lamb."
As John works with the sheep while the birthing takes place, assisted by Sparsholt College students, he’ll be wearing a radio microphone to describe to visitors what’s happening. "Whatever will happen, will happen," he says, "...and people will be able to see everything first hand."

To ensure that everyone gets a good view, there will be pen-side walkways and an overhead screen showing live CCTV footage.

Other attractions during lambing weekend
As a Year of Food and Farming event, in addition to the lambing activity, there will be plenty of fun for all the family. Young people will be able to take part in farm-based puzzles and a prize quiz as well as watching the afternoon milking session at the College’s dairy, seeing the beef cattle barn and getting the chance to have a photo taken on a College tractor. Horses from the famous Equine Centre will be introduced to visitors and we hope that the Animal Management Centre can lay on some dog agility demonstrations in the indoor arena. There will also be locally produced refreshments from Hampshire Fare producers.

Opening times and gate ticket prices
During Lambing Weekend, the College is open both days from 9.30am to 3.30pm and gate admission charges are:
• £4 per adult
• £2.50 per school-aged child, or
• £12 family ticket for two adults and two school-age children.
Regret, there are no advance-booking facilities available. Tickets may only be obtained at the gate on the day.

Course information
Additional information on the full range of land-based courses available at the College will be available. However, potential students are well advised to visit the next careers event on Saturday, 7th March, from 10am to 3pm.

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